Overview

Are you looking to make a difference in the world while producing a new product? Tender is revolutionizing the food industry by solving a major global challenge: how to make meat production ethical and sustainable. Going beyond the existing plant-based burgers, we are developing alternative meat whole-cuts – think steaks and chicken breasts – using innovative technologies.

We are looking for an Associate Process Engineer to support the implementation, troubleshooting, and optimization of our production and scale-up processes. This role involves hands-on work with equipment, supporting commissioning and start-up, and providing on-site technical assistance to ensure smooth operations at our pilot and commercial facilities.

Key Responsibilities:

• Process Support: Work closely with the Process Engineering Lead to implement and optimize manufacturing processes.
• Equipment Installation & Maintenance: Assist in commissioning, troubleshooting, and maintaining production equipment and process lines.
• Safety & Compliance: Ensure that all work aligns with food safety, quality, and regulatory standards.
• Field Troubleshooting: Diagnose and resolve mechanical, electrical, and process-related issues in collaboration with engineering and operations teams.
• Cross Functional Support: Work collaboratively with multiple different cross-functional teams including Engineering, R&D, FSQA and Operations.
• Scale-Up Assistance: Support the transition from pilot-scale to full-scale production by refining equipment setup and process parameters.
• Data Collection & Reporting: Gather operational data, identify inefficiencies, and provide feedback for continuous improvement.
• Operator Training: Assist in training plant operators and technicians on new equipment and procedures.
  
  

Who (we hope) You Are:

• Hands-on problem solver with strong technical aptitude
• Excited about working in a fast-paced, startup environment
• Comfortable troubleshooting and working with food manufacturing equipment
• Collaborative and willing to work cross-functionally with Engineering, R&D, FSQA and Operations
• Self-starting problem solver who likes identifying ways for improvement as well as ways implementing solutions.
• Act as the processing subject matter expert with cross-functional teams.
  
  

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical, Mechanical or Industrial Engineering is preferred; other technical qualifications/experience will be considered.
• 2+ years in food manufacturing, process engineering, or equipment maintenance role.
• Mechanical, electrical, and process troubleshooting experience preferred.
• This role will split time between our R&D facility Somerville, Pilot Facility in Rhode Island, and future production sites. Travel up to 50% to other production facilities not in the area as we launch new lines nationally.
  
  

Desired Skills

• Knowledge in scaling processes from the benchtop to a production line.
• Experience in processing equipment and materials related to the food and beverage industry
• Experience scoping, implementing and commissioning new equipment
• Experience conducting trials to optimize the performance of existing equipment to achieve more consistent results and to allow new products to be conducted on existing equipment.
• Pro-active mindset, personal drive, decisiveness, communication skills, excellent teamwork skills and the ability to prioritize work.
  
  

Benefits to you:

• Employee Incentive Stock Option Plan
• 401k
• Paid Parental, Family & Medical Leave
• Unlimited PTO
• Health & Wellness Stipend
• Prescription Lab Goggles
• Generous Medical, Dental & Vision Benefits Package